Recognizing a child after birth

How does it work?

You can acknowledge your child if you are a man aged 16 or older. If you are a co-mother, you can also acknowledge your child.

Furthermore, the following applies:

• Your child does not yet have a legal father.
• If your child has two parents, it can never be recognized by anyone else.
• If you are under guardianship, you will need permission from the court.
• If you are not allowed to marry the mother due to blood relationship, you cannot acknowledge the child.
• You cannot acknowledge a deceased child.
• If you are the biological father, you cannot revoke the acknowledgment later.

What should I do?

You can acknowledge your child after birth at two different times:

• at the birth registration
• after registering the birth

Recognition at birth registration

• You must register the birth of your child within three days. You cannot register a birth on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays.
• You do this at the municipality where your child was born.
• You can then immediately acknowledge your child.

If the mother is unable to accompany you to the municipality, you will need her written consent to acknowledge your child.

Recognition after birth registration

• You and the mother go to the municipality to acknowledge your child. This can be done in any municipality in the Netherlands.
• If the child you wish to recognize is 12 years of age or older, you will need written consent from both the mother and the child. If you do not receive consent from both parties, you can ask the court for permission. This is only possible if you are the biological parent of your child.
• If the child you wish to recognize is 16 years of age or older, you must go to the municipality together. The mother does not need to be present.

Applying for parental authority

Since January 1, 2023, parental authority is automatically established upon recognition of the child. This applies even if you are unmarried or do not have a registered partnership with the mother. Please note: there are a few exceptions.

What do I need?

If the child was not born in the municipality where you are arranging the acknowledgment, bring a copy of the birth certificate with you.

If the mother accompanies you to the municipality:

• your valid proof of identity
• valid proof of identity of the mother

If the mother does not accompany the child to the municipality:

• your valid proof of identity
• written consent from the mother
• mother's signature on the written consent form
• copy of mother's valid ID

Additional requirements for recognition of children aged 12 to 16

• written consent from the child
• copy of valid proof of identity of the child

Additional requirements for recognition of child by co-mother

• statement from the Artificial Insemination Donor Data Foundation (only required if the donor is anonymous)

How long will it take?

You will receive a copy of the certificate of recognition immediately.

Additional information

When registering your first child, you can choose which surname he or she will have: the mother's name or yours. If you want your child to have your name, the mother must accompany you to the municipality. Written consent from the mother is not sufficient.

If you do not choose, the child will automatically receive the mother's surname. All subsequent children in the family will automatically receive the same surname as your first child.

It is also possible to give your child two surnames.